This is something of a classic in the genre. I think it is entertaining and at parts humorous. About half way through the book turns into something liThis is something of a classic in the genre. I think it is entertaining and at parts humorous. About half way through the book turns into something like a sob story with Luciano complaining about persecution. Unfortunately, much of the material is contradicted by the media, Congress, and the DOJ. Most authors consult this book; but accept that much of it is bogus. As late as 2006 some authors were building a case that Luciano was either grossly ingenius or the entire interview was a fabrication. ...more

Even though this is one of the key books in the genre, I remain disappointed in it. I think it is amazing how Valachi was involved in dozens of majorEven though this is one of the key books in the genre, I remain disappointed in it. I think it is amazing how Valachi was involved in dozens of major criminal acts as though he was floating effortlessly from family to family. While it is true his revelations were some of the first insider views on the mob, many people have pointed out that there are flaws in his seemingly perfect memory. His story is really the first look at social interaction within the mob when the previous idea was based on the exagggerated 1930s cinema. ...more

Although a little difficult to plow through, this is the best book on Murder, Inc. (1930s). Burton and Feder were the prosecutors and they knew the caAlthough a little difficult to plow through, this is the best book on Murder, Inc. (1930s). Burton and Feder were the prosecutors and they knew the case better than anyone. They also stick solely to what they can prove and made few assumptions about the connections between the killers and other organized crime groups. It is a must read for those interested in how organized crime operated in New York in the 1930s. ...more

Although Fox is basically a journalist hopping from topic to topic without much passion, he has written one of the better books on organized crime.

ThAlthough Fox is basically a journalist hopping from topic to topic without much passion, he has written one of the better books on organized crime.

The difference here is that while most books in the genre are written by amateurs and are rife with conjecture and little evidence; Fox wrote down solely what he could prove with multiple authoritative sources. The writing is dry and the chapter long; but his sources are authoritative and he can defend anything in the book. Consequently, he is usually interviewed for the many shows on the mob. ...more

There are many books out there covering the corrupt alliance between the Irish Mob and the Boston FBI. However, this one is probably the best researchThere are many books out there covering the corrupt alliance between the Irish Mob and the Boston FBI. However, this one is probably the best researched and the most accurate. ...more

This is another key book in the organized crime genre. Like most of the other staples, I feel it is short on substance. The information is repetitiveThis is another key book in the organized crime genre. Like most of the other staples, I feel it is short on substance. The information is repetitive in many other books that offer more.

Salerno is an expert on organized crime, more than many authors; but this book was disappointing. ...more

The only book written about one of the most successful godfathers in history. Roemer was a hard-as-nails FBI agent who hated his opponents; but develoThe only book written about one of the most successful godfathers in history. Roemer was a hard-as-nails FBI agent who hated his opponents; but developed respect, and maybe admiration, for Accardo....more

Written by a tough lawman, the title could be named "Roemer: Bully against the mob." He took great joy in provoking the hoodlums and admitted that theWritten by a tough lawman, the title could be named "Roemer: Bully against the mob." He took great joy in provoking the hoodlums and admitted that the FBI conducted illegal surveillance of hoodlums.

The book is well-written and fascinating. It almost reads like a suspense thriller in some places. In sum, while the hero is difficult to support, the book is an enjoyable read. ...more

Roemer wrote two books about specific hoodlums. One of them he admired, the other he loathed. This book is about the later man. Roemer does not minceRoemer wrote two books about specific hoodlums. One of them he admired, the other he loathed. This book is about the later man. Roemer does not mince words and his contempt for the famous gangster shines through on every page.

Roemer, who usually comes off sounding arrogant and above the law, really does appear like a hero in this book. He does an excellent job in describing Spilotro....more

Reid differed from his normal genre of presenting his research to mixing his research with a narrative. The result is that some of his material is inaReid differed from his normal genre of presenting his research to mixing his research with a narrative. The result is that some of his material is inaccurate, especially his opening tale on my hometown, St. Louis. Overall, it is informative and well-researched. ...more

One of the few English books on the Sicilian Mafia. It is also the only one I know focusing on the Catania Mafia Family. It has some good insights; buOne of the few English books on the Sicilian Mafia. It is also the only one I know focusing on the Catania Mafia Family. It has some good insights; but it is unverifiable. There are no glowing errors that have come to light; but one should remain skeptical especially when a former mafioso glorifies his own tale and criminalizes his rivals....more

While I have some issues with his historical research, Olla bases much of his book on interviews with some big names in law enforcement in both ItalyWhile I have some issues with his historical research, Olla bases much of his book on interviews with some big names in law enforcement in both Italy and the United States. Consequently, the book is a good read for the current status of Italian organized crime (1980-2000); but prior to 1980 the data is largely uncited and loosely discussed....more

I thought this was a very dull book. However, it was meticulously researched and presented - hence the dullness. Few books on organized crime are writI thought this was a very dull book. However, it was meticulously researched and presented - hence the dullness. Few books on organized crime are written so professionally. Most bloggers can readily point out errors. Stille has very few detractors and hardly anyone criticizes the book and for good reason.

The book focuses largely on criminals in history and the Corleonese killings of high-profile politicos - hence the title. There is some discussion of the bonds between mafiosi in Italy and the United States; but Stille focuses almost entirely on the political response to the assassinations....more

Like most books written by mob informants, a lot of Jimmy Fratianno's stories are debatable, meaning there is little evidence to support them, and litLike most books written by mob informants, a lot of Jimmy Fratianno's stories are debatable, meaning there is little evidence to support them, and little evidence to contradict them. He was honest about his participation in some mob executions.

The best parts about this book are the photos and description of the California underworld, something lacking for many years. Fratianno's memoirs are also the extent of public knowledge on the San Francisco-Bay Area underworld. ...more

One of the mainstays in the genre of organized crime, it is a large book that says very little.

Author Gay Talese is talented in writting up oral histoOne of the mainstays in the genre of organized crime, it is a large book that says very little.

Author Gay Talese is talented in writting up oral histories. To this end, he explores the thoughts and emotions of Bill Bonanno as he sought to aide his father in running a Mafia family. However, from such an obviously biased source, the text carries some credibility issues.

Much of the book adds little or nothing to the autobiography of Joe Bonanno. Like "A Man od Honor," this book complains loudly of the injustices by law enforcement against the family. However, most outside observers can recognize that father and son are leaving out considerable detail regarding their lives of crime. Furthermore, it is clear that Bill Bonanno was not respected by people within his father's family. His knowledge of events in the so-called Bannana War are marginal and at parts unbelieveable. ...more

This is a good, shortened version of the six or so volumes of FBI electronic surveillance of Sam DeCalvacante. The author does a good job at providingThis is a good, shortened version of the six or so volumes of FBI electronic surveillance of Sam DeCalvacante. The author does a good job at providing context for the excerpts. He adds very little interpretation, leaving it up for the reader.

The coverage of topics is also excellent. Most of the conversations were within the New Jersey Mafia Family. The author show how the family operated, and the responsibilities expected of different-ranking members within the family. The excerpts also show how the small family interacted with other Mafia families.

The parts about DeCalvacante acting as mediator in the Bananna Mafia War are also enlightening. They provide a different picture of the conflict than that provided by Joe and Bill Bonanno. ...more

Unfortunately, Morton has something of a monopoly on writing about organized crime in the UK. Unlike other authors, this one explores OC in British ciUnfortunately, Morton has something of a monopoly on writing about organized crime in the UK. Unlike other authors, this one explores OC in British cities other than London. However, the writing is so seemingly disorganized (much like the gangs themselves) that it is difficult to understand what Morton is telling his audience. His work on Liverpool also is at odds with popular media accounts that discussed the murder of that city's crime boss in 2008. ...more

Unfortunately, the title says it all. There is little or no analysis; and the tapes are broken up. The reader is left wondering what was said during aUnfortunately, the title says it all. There is little or no analysis; and the tapes are broken up. The reader is left wondering what was said during all of the statis and unintelligible parts. There is not much information there except how gangsters talk. The media portrays them as tough guys; but the Gotti Tapes display not only arrogance and profanity; but stupidity as well. Few gangsters went beyond highschool (if that) and it shows....more

This is one of the few books discussing the rackets in Texas. It is a quick read and successfully introduces some wild characters; there is no largerThis is one of the few books discussing the rackets in Texas. It is a quick read and successfully introduces some wild characters; there is no larger discussion of the rackets in Texas as a whole, or even in northern Texas, the setting for the book. ...more

Mostly a picture book, there is a lot of discussion as well. It is a delightful introduction to organized crime from its beginnings to the 1960s. It iMostly a picture book, there is a lot of discussion as well. It is a delightful introduction to organized crime from its beginnings to the 1960s. It is written with Messick's traditional style of novel data and no citations...more

The book details who is who on the various blackbooks. However, I found most of it to be a statistical analysis rather than a discussion of politics,The book details who is who on the various blackbooks. However, I found most of it to be a statistical analysis rather than a discussion of politics, crime, and law enforcement. ...more

This is one of the better books on the Chicago Mob. Demaris has a dry style of writing; but he uses some excellent sources. The appendix includes a whThis is one of the better books on the Chicago Mob. Demaris has a dry style of writing; but he uses some excellent sources. The appendix includes a who's who of the mob with law enforcement intelligence regarding their activities, associates, and haunts. ...more

This remains one of the few scholarly books on organized crime in America. Nelli does a splendid job discussing Italian syndicates in many cities instThis remains one of the few scholarly books on organized crime in America. Nelli does a splendid job discussing Italian syndicates in many cities instead of looking at just New York or Chicago. ...more

This is one of Anastasia's worst books. Like most books reporting audio tapes of Mafia wiretaps, the book suffers from sufficient correlating analysisThis is one of Anastasia's worst books. Like most books reporting audio tapes of Mafia wiretaps, the book suffers from sufficient correlating analysis. Anastasia goes away from his normal analysis to allowing the reader to make their own conclusions. However, it is nicely illustrated and quickly digested. ...more

This is one of the better books on organized crime. Volz went through the many volumes of the famous DeCalvacante Tapes and culled enough informationThis is one of the better books on organized crime. Volz went through the many volumes of the famous DeCalvacante Tapes and culled enough information to present an excellent view of organized crime in New York-New Jersey in the 1950s and 1960s. ...more

Written by a former policeman with an easy writing style. This is a good book that chronicles the downfall of the Cleveland Mafia. I am a little disapWritten by a former policeman with an easy writing style. This is a good book that chronicles the downfall of the Cleveland Mafia. I am a little disappointed that Porello seems to glorify Danny Greene and demean the Italians. Both factions were violent criminals....more